Henrich Is Out, But Yanks Still Win

Home…But Out

New York – In the 7th inning of today’s game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers, Yankee Tommy Henrich was out at home when he tried to score from 3rd base. Tiger catcher Swift makes the out as ump Rommel calls the play. The Yanks won the game 5-4. June 24, 1949. photo – Tony Bernato, New York Daily Mirror for International News

15,384 intrepid fans sweated out a two hour forty four minute game at Yankee Stadium on Friday, June 24, 1949.

The Yanks and Tigers were playing an afternoon make-up from a rain out on May 26. The thermometer topped out at a muggy 88 degrees. Abandoning formality, umps Art Passarella and Jim Boyer removed their coats and worked the game in shirtsleeves. Home ump Eddie Rommel stayed traditionally dressed. From 1933 until 1952 three man umpire crews were the norm for regular season games.

The first place Yankees held a 4-1 lead going into the seventh inning, when a Tiger rally tied up the game.

Yanks Respond Quickly

With one out in the bottom of the seventh Charlie Keller walked. Batting next, first baseman Tommy Henrich readied himself for the hit and run. Henrich didn’t make contact, but Keller successfully swiped second. Henrich then singled to right bringing home Keller with what would be the winning run. Later in the inning as seen above, Henrich was thrown out at home trying to score on Billy Johnson’s grounder to third.

Yankees starter Allie Reynolds went six and two thirds innings but did not figure in the decision. Joe Page took over in the seventh and made things exciting in the ninth when he loaded the bases with two outs. But the big lefty got Johnny Groth to softly line out to second for the final out to pick up his fifth win.